I know I keep . . . disappearing . . . from my blog space for longer periods of time than usual. So I just want to assure you that I’m not going anywhere. And everything is well. It’s just been, well . . . some of this and a lot of that . . . lately. And while some of the “this” and most of the “that” could provide me with blog fodder for days . . . a lot of it really isn’t all that interesting (who wants to see more garden digging?) or it’s kind of icky (big old dog surgery scars anyone?) or isn’t my story to tell in the first place (enough said).

Here’s a quick and dirty update . . .

JoJo had another surgery last week. If you’re keeping track (and I certainly don’t expect you to be doing that!), this has been her fourth major procedure in 8 years. The poor thing is prone to cancerous tumors (both mast cell and sarcomas), and the reason we’ve gotten her to 13 1/2 years at this point . . . is a good vet and our “spidey-sense” when it comes to concerning lumps. But it does mean that she is “Frankendog” for yet another summer season. After a couple of off-days, she’s healing well now and is able to spend time in the garden with me again . . . if she wears a “dog-onesie” to protect her incisions from dirt. (The biggest incision is about 10 inches long – that was for the most troublesome lump – but she also has a couple of smaller incisions for unconcerning things the vet removed while-he-was-in-there. She also had an abscessed tooth removed.) The vet tells us our shared goal now . . . is to get her to 15!

Meanwhile, we’re also hosting one of our “grand-dogs” (Ferda) while Lauren and Brian focus on . . . things happening in Lauren’s family. Ferda is a good dog (and no stranger to dog-surgery herself), and she and JoJo get along really well, so while the timing isn’t great for an extra dog in our lives, we’re happy to have her – and happy to provide a level of assurance for Lauren and Brian during a rough time.

And the gardening is . . . always intense at this time of year. So there’s all of that, too. (Edited highlights and “tales” to come.)

So. Yeah. More along those lines. A little of this. A lot of that.

As for our Swimming Toad? Here he/she is. . . still intent on getting in the pond, but able to get out now, thanks to a new stack of rocks and bricks.

 

 

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And, just as a reminder, the Read With Us book discussion and Zoom meet-up for our current book selection, Good People, is coming right up on Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00 pm Eastern Time. Please RSVP for the Zoom by commenting here on this post, OR just send me an email. (You can use the handy reservation link in the sidebar.) And if you haven’t had a chance to read the book yet, you still have time! It’s a quick read. (I read it in 2 days.) I hope you’re planning to join us!